Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. is a Houma, Louisiana-based entrepreneur with a global reach, an avid philanthropist in the gulf coast region of the U.S. and a strong supporter of coastal restoration.
Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. is a third-generation owner of Cenac Marine Services, originally founded in 1927 as Cenac Towing Company by his grandfather. Under his tenure as owner, Benny Cenac has led the company since 1981 through several industry hardships by focusing on customer service, efficiency, quality and safety in its marine transportation services. Cenac Marine Services has clients across the country and maintains a focus on transporting liquid petroleum barges.
Cenac is guided by the values and principles established by Benny’s grandfather over 85 years ago: a commitment to employee satisfaction and employee morale. Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. takes pride in continuing this legacy and is certain that all current employees would share that the company operates as a family and everyone from the boat captains to the security guards are treated as such. Benny Cenac understands that the core foundation of his company is the employees he considers family, championing his grandfather’s commitment to valuing each employee as a critical part to the success of the business.
In addition to Cenac Marine Services, Benny Cenac Jr. owns several other business entities in the gulf coast region, touching a wide-range of industries such as retail, manufacturing, wholesale and agriculture. An entrepreneur at heart, Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. enjoys seeking out new business opportunities across the region, in an effort to help cultivate a strong local economy. He understands that a strong local economy means a strong community, and that starts at home in Houma.
Arlen Benny Cenac Jr.: A Louisiana Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Community Leader
As a dedicated leader of his community, Benny Cenac Jr. has served on several boards and committees, including Nicholls State University College of Business Advisory Board, Nicholls State University Foundation and Restore or Retreat. Benny is also a member of Waterways Operators, South Central Industrial Association, Bayou Community Foundation and Greater New Orleans Foundation. In addition, Benny Cenac Jr. has also served as committee member for Restore or Retreat, a non-profit coastal advocacy group focused on protecting the Barataria and Terrebonne basins, from further damage caused by coastal erosion, the greatest threat to Louisiana beautiful coastline.
Benny Cenac is also a lifelong philanthropist, donating both his time and money to dozens of regional, national and international causes. He is most fond of his involvement with The Terrebonne Association for Retarded Citizens, Houma-Terrebonne NAACP, O.N.E./C.H.A.N.G.E., American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
As a strong supporter of conservation efforts, Benny has instilled these values on his own property, Golden Ranch Farms, where he raises various animals, including blackbuck antelope, oryx, Père David’s deer, axis, elk, sika, and even zebras who all call the land home on Louisiana’s largest privately owned refuge. In addition, he has also constructed a series of flood control structures to help stop saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion – building on his promise to protect the pristine coasts of Louisiana for the next generation.
A lifelong resident of Louisiana, Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. continues to take a more proactive role in his community. He is very involved in projects that help to improve the community and continues to give back to his hometown of Houma. From stimulating the local economy through his many businesses to protecting Louisiana from the negative effects of coastal erosion, Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. is proud to serve those in the community he calls home, the friends he considers family, and the great state of Louisiana.
To learn about Arlen Benny Cenac Jr., visit his blog at arlenbennycenac.com.